Patrick Eaves Traded to Anaheim Ducks

Dallas hasn’t been nearly as good as they were last year and it’s been their goaltending and lack of depth due to injury that has sunk their season. Because of that, the Stars decided they had to sell a few of their players and one of the casualties of the poor play is Patrick Eaves. Eaves has a 21-goal season to go along with 37 points, playing in the top six with either Tyler Seguin or Jamie Benn for the majority of the season. The line of Benn-Seguin-Eaves had been the most consistent trio of Lindy Ruff‘s squad this season, according to left-wing lock (8.69%).

Eaves is on a one-year deal worth $1 million and will definitely earn a raise over the summer as this is his best statistical season of his career. Eaves in 101 combined games played the last two seasons with Dallas had amassed 25 goals and 44 points.

Here are the conditions on the draft pick Dallas gets back from Anaheim in Patrick Eaves deal. Could become a first-rounder: pic.twitter.com/pchYuyrqtE

The Ducks hopes Eaves will continue to score for them just like how he has in Dallas for the past few seasons as they make their push for the playoffs and possibly a fifth consecutive Pacific Division title. He will likely line up as a top-six specialist with Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry assuming quite a similar role on a team that needed help up front, as despite having six 30+ pointgetters, the Ducks had just one forward over 25 points after those big six, placing 20th in terms of goals per game as a team. His power play impact will be cited as a huge reason for the acquisition, as he lead the Stars in man advantage markers with 11. A middle of the road power play (14th, 19.5%) just got better on paper.

Before this season, the most points Eaves had in a season was 32, and that was back in 2006-07 with the Ottawa Senators. The most goals he had in a season before this season came back in his rookie year in 2005-06 when he potted 20 goals for the Senators, his only 20-goal campaign before this season.

Eaves was drafted 29th overall by the Senators in 2003. through his 604-game career, he’s potted 120 goals and 227 points. 36 of his total career goals have come on the power play.

Hunter is an aspiring journalist who is looking to transfer to Virginia Tech next fall and major in multimedia journalism. He enjoys watching the Penguins, Steelers, Nationals, and Virginia Tech football. He's previously covered the Penguins for fanragsports.com and he also writes article for pensburgh.com of SB Nation NHL.